Cyrano de Bergerac (English translation) | Page 5

. .
(They form in groups round the lusters as they are lit. Some people
have taken their seats in the galleries. Ligniere, a distinguished-looking
roue, with disordered shirt-front arm-in-arm with christian de
Neuvillette. Christian, who is dressed elegantly, but rather behind the
fashion, seems preoccupied, and keeps looking at the boxes.)

Scene 1.II.
The same. Christian, Ligniere, then Ragueneau and Le Bret.
CUIGY: Ligniere!
BRISSAILLE (laughing): Not drunk as yet?
LIGNIERE (aside to Christian): I may introduce you? (Christian nods
in assent): Baron de Neuvillette.
(Bows.)
THE AUDIENCE (applauding as the first luster is lighted and drawn
up): Ah!

CUIGY (to Brissaille, looking at Christian): 'Tis a pretty fellow!
FIRST MARQUIS (who has overheard): Pooh!
LIGNIERE (introducing them to Christian): My lords De Cuigy. De
Brissaille. . .
CHRISTIAN (bowing): Delighted!. . .
FIRST MARQUIS (to second): He is not ill to look at, but certes, he is
not costumed in the latest mode.
LIGNIERE (to Cuigy): This gentleman comes from Touraine.
CHRISTIAN: Yes, I have scarce been twenty days in Paris; tomorrow I
join the Guards, in the Cadets.
FIRST MARQUIS (watching the people who are coming into the
boxes): There is the wife of the Chief-Justice.
THE BUFFET-GIRL: Oranges, milk. . .
THE VIOLINISTS (tuning up): La--la--
CUIGY (to Christian, pointing to the hall, which is filling fast): 'Tis
crowded.
CHRISTIAN: Yes, indeed.
FIRST MARQUIS: All the great world!
(They recognize and name the different elegantly dressed ladies who
enter the boxes, bowing low to them. The ladies send smiles in
answer.)
SECOND MARQUIS: Madame de Guemenee.
CUIGY: Madame de Bois-Dauphin.
FIRST MARQUIS: Adored by us all!
BRISSAILLE: Madame de Chavigny. . .
SECOND MARQUIS: Who sports with our poor hearts!. . .
LIGNIERE: Ha! so Monsieur de Corneille has come back from Rouen!
THE YOUNG MAN (to his father): Is the Academy here?
THE BURGHER: Oh, ay, I see several of them. There is Boudu,
Boissat, and Cureau de la Chambre, Porcheres, Colomby, Bourzeys,
Bourdon, Arbaud. . .all names that will live! 'Tis fine!
FIRST MARQUIS: Attention! Here come our precieuses; Barthenoide,
Urimedonte, Cassandace, Felixerie. . .
SECOND MARQUIS: Ah! How exquisite their fancy names are! Do
you know them all, Marquis?
FIRST MARQUIS: Ay, Marquis, I do, every one!
LIGNIERE (drawing Christian aside): Friend, I but came here to give

you pleasure. The lady comes not. I will betake me again to my pet
vice.
CHRISTIAN (persuasively): No, no! You, who are ballad-maker to
Court and City alike, can tell me better than any who the lady is for
whom I die of love. Stay yet awhile.
THE FIRST VIOLIN (striking his bow on the desk): Gentlemen
violinists!
(He raises his bow.)
THE BUFFET-GIRL: Macaroons, lemon-drink. . .
(The violins begin to play.)
CHRISTIAN: Ah! I fear me she is coquettish, and over nice and
fastidious! I, who am so poor of wit, how dare I speak to her--how
address her? This language that they speak to-day--ay, and
write--confounds me; I am but an honest soldier, and timid withal. She
has ever her place, there, on the right--the empty box, see you!
LIGNIERE (making as if to go): I must go.
CHRISTIAN (detaining him): Nay, stay.
LIGNIERE: I cannot. D'Assoucy waits me at the tavern, and here one
dies of thirst.
THE BUFFET-GIRL (passing before him with a tray): Orange drink?
LIGNIERE: Ugh!
THE BUFFET-GIRL: Milk?
LIGNIERE: Pah!
THE BUFFET-GIRL: Rivesalte?
LIGNIERE: Stay. (To Christian): I will remain awhile.--Let me taste
this rivesalte.
(He sits by the buffet; the girl pours some out for him.)
CRIES (from all the audience, at the entrance of a plump little man,
joyously excited): Ah! Ragueneau!
LIGNIERE (to Christian): 'Tis the famous tavern-keeper Ragueneau.
RAGUENEAU (dressed in the Sunday clothes of a pastry-cook, going
up quickly to Ligniere): Sir, have you seen Monsieur de Cyrano?
LIGNIERE (introducing him to Christian): The pastry-cook of the
actors and the poets!
RAGUENEAU (overcome): You do me too great honor. . .
LIGNIERE: Nay, hold your peace, Maecenas that you are!
RAGUENEAU: True, these gentlemen employ me. . .

LIGNIERE: On credit! He is himself a poet of a pretty talent. . .
RAGUENEAU: So they tell me.
LIGNIERE: --Mad after poetry!
RAGUENEAU: 'Tis true that, for a little ode. . .
LIGNIERE: You give a tart. . .
RAGUENEAU: Oh!--a tartlet!
LIGNIERE: Brave fellow! He would fain fain excuse himself! --And
for a triolet, now, did you not give in exchange. . .
RAGUENEAU: Some little rolls!
LIGNIERE (severely): They were milk-rolls! And as for the theater,
which you love?
RAGUENEAU: Oh! to distraction!
LIGNIERE: How pay you your tickets, ha?--with cakes. Your place,
to-night, come tell me in my ear, what did it cost you?
RAGUENEAU: Four custards, and fifteen cream-puffs. (He looks
around on all sides): Monsieur de Cyrano is not here?